Apparatus and method for media content presentation

ABSTRACT

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing, by a system comprising a processor, a content display configuration corresponding to a plurality of feed selections from a plurality of media content feeds, a plurality of display selections from a plurality of available displays, and a plurality of pairing selections assigning each feed selection of the plurality of feed selections to at least one display selection of the plurality of display selections, and transmitting a plurality of displayable content streams according to the content display configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/567,134 filed Dec. 11, 2014, now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2015/0095951, which is a continuation of Ser. No.13/657,272, filed Oct. 22, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,949,910. Allsections of the aforementioned application is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates generally to media content presentationand more specifically to an apparatus and method for media contentpresentation.

BACKGROUND

Media content is typically experienced by consumers via devices such ascomputers, televisions, radios, and mobile electronics. Media content isfrequently delivered by service providers, who send the content, such astelevision, radio, and video programming, directly to consumers forenjoyment at their physical locations. Modern communication networksbenefit from interconnectivity between consumers and variouscommunication devices. Consumers typically experience media content overa display or presentation device. As network capabilities expand, theseinterconnections provide new opportunities to enhance abilities to enjoymedia content by experiencing a variety of content over multipledevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIGS. 5-6 depict an illustrative embodiments of a communication systemthat performs media content presentation;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the systems described in FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of a system and a method for media content presentation,where displayable content streams are transmitting to selected displaysaccording to a content display configuration and where the contentdisplay configuration can be modified. Other embodiments arecontemplated by the subject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a memory storingcomputer instructions and a processor coupled to the memory. Theprocessor can perform operations responsive to executing the computerinstructions including receiving a plurality of feed selections from afirst listing of a plurality of media content feeds available from aservice provider network. The processor can perform operations forreceiving a plurality of display selections from a second listing of aplurality of displays that are communicatively coupled to the device.The processor can also perform operations for receiving a plurality ofpairing selections. Each pairing selection of the plurality of pairingselections can include an assignment of one feed selection of theplurality of feed selections to one display selection of the pluralityof display selections. The processor can perform operations forgenerating a content display configuration corresponding to theplurality of feed selections, the plurality of display selections, andthe plurality of pairing selections. The processor can performoperations for transmitting a plurality of displayable content streamsaccording to the content display configuration. The processor can alsoperform operations for modifying the content display configurationaccording to a received request to modify the content displayconfiguration and transmitting the plurality of displayable contentstreams according to the modified content display configuration.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes computer instructions,which, responsive to being executed by at least one processor, can causethe at least one processor to perform operations including accessing acontent display configuration corresponding to a plurality of feedselections from a plurality of media content feeds available from aservice provider network, a plurality of display selections from aplurality of available displays, and a plurality of pairing selectionsassigning each feed selection of the plurality of feed selections to atleast one display selection of the plurality of display selections. Thecomputer instructions can cause the at least one processor to performoperations for receiving from the service provider network a pluralityof content streams according to the content display configuration,decoding the received plurality of content streams to generate aplurality of displayable content streams, and, in turn, transmitting theplurality of displayable content streams according to the contentdisplay configuration. The computer instructions can cause the at leastone processor to perform operations for receiving, during thetransmitting of the plurality of displayable content streams, a requestto modify the content display configuration, modifying the contentdisplay configuration according to the request, and transmitting theplurality of displayable content streams according to the modifiedcontent display configuration.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method includingaccessing, by a system comprising at least one processor, a contentdisplay configuration corresponding to a plurality of feed selectionsfrom a plurality of media content feeds available from a serviceprovider network, a plurality of display selections from a plurality ofavailable displays, and a plurality of pairing selections assigning eachfeed selection of the plurality of feed selections to at least onedisplay selection of the plurality of display selections. The methodalso includes transmitting, by the system, a plurality of displayablecontent streams according to the content display configuration. Themethod further includes modifying, by the system, the content displayconfiguration according to at least one request and transmitting, by thesystem, the plurality of displayable content streams according to thecontent display configuration.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 100 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 130 to function as a media server (herein referred toas media server 130). The media server 130 can use computing andcommunication technology to perform function 162, which can includeamong things, receiving media content from, for example, the super headend office server 111 for distribution through the system 100. The mediaserver 130 can receive media content feeds 530 one or more media contentsources. The media server 130 can receive a large number of media feedsfrom several sources. The media server 130 can categorize the receivedmedia feeds to create a series of collections of media content feedsbased on the media source or based upon some element of the subjectmatter of the media feed. This media processor 130 can presentcollections of feeds to subscribers of the network 100 for selection andviewing.

The media server 130 can present the collection of media feeds tosubscribers via an electronic programming guide (EPG). The EPG 545 caninclude listings of the collections of media content, as well asnon-collected media content, which are available at the media processordevice 106 from the media server 130. The media server 130 can generatecollections of media feeds and/or receive collections of media feedsfrom the media content sources and can transmit the media content of thecollections as content streams to media processor devices 106 by way ofthe network 100 and/or a gateway device 104.

The media processor devices 106 and wireless communication devices 116can be adapted with software functions 164 and 166, respectively, toutilize the services of media server 130. The media processor devices106 can receive selections of feeds for display from the feedcollections. The media processor devices 106 can receive selections ofone or more media devices 108 for presenting the selected feeds. Themedia processor devices 106 can receive pairing selections that pairfeed selections to display selections. The media processor devices 106can generate content display configurations based on the feedselections, the display selections, and the pairing selections, to allowthe media processor devices 106 to receive, decode, and transmit theselected feeds to the selected displays. The media processor devices 106can received and process requests for modifying the content displayconfigurations to enable users to function as producers or directors ofmedia content available from the service provider.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 110 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 111 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 129 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 1. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 100. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to thebuilding 102. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver131 can be transferred to the media processors 106 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 133 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system100. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 133 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It is contemplated that the subject disclosure can apply to otherpresent or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media contentservices system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 132 towireline media devices 108 or wireless communication devices 116.

It is further contemplated that multiple forms of media services can beoffered to media devices over landline technologies such as thosedescribed above. Additionally, media services can be offered to mediadevices by way of a wireless access base station 117 operating accordingto common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile orGSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division MultipleAccess or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, Worldinteroperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR,Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on. Other present and next generationwide area wireless access network technologies are contemplated by thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other networkelements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 201,202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)220 coupled to a PSTN network 260. The MGCF 220 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 220.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 240. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 201 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 204 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 217 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 217 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 214. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 may then signal the CD 202 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 2 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 200 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 201, 202with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 100 ofFIG. 1.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD203 or CD 205 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 230 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 260 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 2 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 2 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 221, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 250 of FIG. 2. The cellular accessbase station 221 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies arecontemplated by the subject disclosure. Accordingly, multiple wirelineand wireless communication technologies are contemplated for the CDs ofFIG. 2.

It is further contemplated that cellular phones supporting LTE cansupport packet-switched voice and packet-switched data communicationsand thus may operate as IMS-compliant mobile devices. In thisembodiment, the cellular base station 221 may communicate directly withthe IMS network 250 as shown by the arrow connecting the cellular basestation 221 and the P-CSCF 216.

It is further understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate ina device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, andthe MGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

The media server 130 of FIG. 1 can be operably coupled to the secondcommunication system 200 for purposes similar to those described above.It is further contemplated by the subject disclosure that media server130 can perform function 162 and thereby provide services to the CDs201, 202, 203 and 205 of FIG. 2. CDs 201, 202, 203 and 205, which can beadapted with software to perform function 172 to utilize the services ofthe media server 130. It is further contemplated that the media server130 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 217 performingfunction 174, which can be substantially similar to function 162 andadapted to the operations of the IMS network 250.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 302 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices130 of the communication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The webportal 302 can be used for managing services of communication systems100-200. A web page of the web portal 302 can be accessed by a UniformResource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser such as Microsoft'sInternet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™, Apple's Safari™, or Google'sChrome™ using an Internet-capable communication device such as thosedescribed in FIGS. 1-2. The web portal 302 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 106 and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog,an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 106. The web portal 302 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

It is contemplated by the subject disclosure that the web portal 302 canfurther be utilized to manage and provision software applications162-166, and 172-174, such as transmitting and/or receiving streamedmedia content, and to adapt these applications as may be desired bysubscribers and service providers of communication systems 100-200.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, a motion sensor 418, anorientation sensor 420, and a controller 406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellulartechnologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS,TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generationwireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 402can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include a display410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. In anembodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display 410 withnavigation features.

The display 410 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input (e.g., touch of a user's finger). Asa touch screen display, the communication device 400 can be adapted topresent a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elementsthat can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touchscreen display 410 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or otherforms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user'sfinger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. Thissensing information can be used control the manipulation of the GUIelements.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. Alternatively, the charging systemcan utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over aphysical interface such as a USB port. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of thecommunication device 400 based on signals generated by a constellationof GPS satellites, thereby facilitating location services such asnavigation. The motion sensor 418 can utilize motion sensing technologysuch as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensingto detect motion of the communication device 400 in three-dimensionalspace. The orientation sensor 420 can utilize orientation sensingtechnology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of thecommunication device 400 (North, South, West, East, combinedorientations thereof in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientationmetrics).

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by common sensing techniques such as utilizing a receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA)or time of flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

Other components not shown in FIG. 4 are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure. For instance, the communication device 400 can include areset button (not shown). The reset button can be used to reset thecontroller 406 of the communication device 400. In yet anotherembodiment, the communication device 400 can also include a factorydefault setting button positioned below a small hole in a housingassembly of the communication device 400 to force the communicationdevice 400 to re-establish factory settings. In this embodiment, a usercan use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reachinto the hole and depress the default setting button.

The communication device 400 as described herein can operate with moreor less components described in FIG. 4. These variant embodiments arecontemplated by the subject disclosure.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other devices that canoperate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

It is contemplated by the subject disclosure that the communicationdevice 400 shown in FIG. 4 or portions thereof can serve as arepresentation of one or more of the devices of communication systems100-200. It is further contemplated that the controller 406 can beadapted in various embodiments to perform the functions 162-166 and172-174, such as transmitting and/or receiving streamed media content.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500for providing media content. System 500 can be overlaid or operablycoupled to communication systems 100-200 as another representativeembodiment of communication systems 100-200. System 500 can include amedia server 130 in communication with a packet switched network such asIMS network 250. The media server 130 can be in communication with amedia processor 106, such as set-top box, that is further incommunication with several media devices 108A-F. The media devices108A-F can be televisions, display panels, computer devices, mobilecommunication devices, projection display devices, and/or combinationsof such devices. The media server 130 can provide media content, by wayof media content streams 540, to the media processor device 106.

In one embodiment, the media server 130 can receive media content feeds530 one or more media content sources 550. The media content feeds 530can be associated with one media source 550, a number of sources, and/orthe subject matter the received media content feeds 530. For example, acontent feed 530 from a broadcast network can be associated with thatnetwork, such as the ABC™ television network, or can be associated withthe subject matter of a particular program, such as “Grey's Anatomy.”The media server 130 can receive a large number of media feeds 530 fromseveral sources 550. The media server 130 can categorize the receivedmedia feeds 530 to create a series of collections of media content feedsbased on the media source 550 or based upon some element of the subjectmatter of the media feed.

To continue the earlier examples, the media server can create acollection with all media feeds 550 source from the ABC™ televisionnetwork. For example, the ABC™ television network can broadcast a seriesof national feeds corresponding to a series of time zones. (e.g.,ABCEast for the eastern time zone, ABCCentral for the Central time zone,ABCWest for the Pacific time zone, etc.). The media server 130 cancollect the several national feeds into a single collection, based onthe common media source 550. The collected feeds can be presented tosubscribers of the network 500 for selection as a collection labeled,“ABC National Feeds.” As another example, the ABC™ television networkcan broadcast a new episode of the program, “Grey's Anatomy,” while acable network provider broadcasts a re-run of a prior episode of “Grey'sAnatomy,” and while an Internet Protocol site broadcasts abehind-the-scenes interview with the creators of “Grey's Anatomy.” Themedia server 130 can collect the various “Grey's Anatomy” media contentinto a collection, called “Grey's Anatomy Central.” This subjectmatter-based collection can also be presented to subscribers of thenetwork 500 for selection and viewing. In one embodiment, the mediasource 550 can provide the media content feeds 530 as pre-assembledcollections of media feeds 530. For example, the ABC™ television networkcan provide the “ABC National Feeds” or the “Grey's Anatomy Central” tothe media server 130 collections as pre-packaged collections.

In one embodiment, the media server 130 can further present thecollection of media feeds to subscribers via an electronic programmingguide (EPG). A subscriber can peruse the EPG to view a listing ofseveral such collections. The EPG can include collections for generalsubject areas, such as “movies” or “news,” or for more specific sourcesor subject areas, such as collections associated with a single sportingevent or a single television series or a single political campaign. Forexample, a media source 550 can generate a collection of media feeds 530where each feed is associated with a broadcast of a live sporting event.For example, a broadcast of a professional or college football game canrequire the use of many individual cameras, each filming differentaspects of the game from different vantage points. As a further example,a first media feed 560A can correspond to a signal from a first camerafilming the game from a line of scrimmage side view, while a secondmedia feed 560B can correspond to a second camera filming the game froma field level view, and other media feeds 560C, 560D, 560E, and 560F,can correspond to other views of the game action, such as a sidelineview, end zone view, overhead view, or cheerleading view, respectively.The subject matter of a subject area can be collected in to a subjectmatter channel that can, itself, be a collection of sub-channels. Forexample, a “Grey's Anatomy” channel can be a collection of sub-channel,each directed to some aspect of the series.

The media server 130 can generate collections of media feeds 530 and/orreceive collections of media feeds 530 from the media content sources550. In one embodiment, the media server 130 can transmit the mediacontent of the collections as content streams 540 to the media processordevice 106 by way of the IMS network 250 and/or a gateway device 104. Inone embodiment, the media server 130 can transmit an electronicprogramming guide (EPG) 545 to the media processor device 106. The EPG545 can include listings of the collections of media content, as well asnon-collected media content, which are available at the media processordevice 106 from the media server 130. In one embodiment, the EPG 545 candisplay only collections and/or content available to the media processordevice 106, where this availability depends on subscription factors. Forexample, a media processor device 106 can have an access to certainfootball game collections based on a geographic location of the mediaprocessor device 106 or based on a purchase of a game package. Inanother embodiment, the EPG 545 can be configured to only displaycollections and/or content permitted for a current user of the mediaprocessor device 106. For example, an adult user of the media processordevice 106 can configure the device 106 to block listings of collectionsor content associated with adult entertainment unless an authorizationpassword is provided.

In one embodiment, a user of the media processor device 106 can selectitems from the collections of media content for viewing at one or moremedia devices 108A-F that are coupled to the media processor device 106.In one embodiment, the items can be selected using a remote controller107 that interacts with the media processor device 106. In oneembodiment, the user can select an entire collection of media contentfor viewing. For example, if the media processor device 106 isconfigured for controlling six media devices 108A-F, as shown, then theuser can select and display up to media content feeds from a collectionfor simultaneous viewing. In one embodiment, the user can select one ormore media content feeds from a collection and have these feeds recordedat the media processor device 106 for later playback. If a collectioncontains more media feeds than can be displayed and/or recordedsimultaneously, then the user can select, at most, only a portion of thefeeds from that collection. In one embodiment, the user can select oneor more feeds from a first collection and one or more feeds from one ormore other collections. The user can make a set of feed selections thatincorporate user needs and preferences from among all the availablechoices provided to the media processor device 106.

In one embodiment, the media processor device can also receiveselections of media devices 108A-F for presenting the feed selections.In one embodiment, a user can input a set of display selections toidentify which of the media devices 108A-F will be transmitteddisplayable media content from the set of feed selections. In oneembodiment, the display selections can be received at the mediaprocessor device 106 using a remote controller 107. In one embodiment,the media processor device 106 can present the set of feed selectionsaccording to a default display order. For example, if a user hasselected a set of feed selections made up of three feeds, then the mediaprocessor device 106 can transmit these three feed selections to thefirst three media devices ports (ports 1, 2, and 3) of the mediaprocessor device 106. In another embodiment, the media processor device106 can present the three feed selections at the first three mediadevices where media devices 108A-F are detected as present andactivated. So, if active media devices are detected at ports 1, 4, 5,and 6 of the media processor device 106, then the media processor device106 can automatically send the three feed selections to the first threeactive ports—ports 1, 4, and 5. In one embodiment, the media processordevice 106 can receive a set of display selections from the user. Forexample, the user can select the set of media devices 108B, 108C, and108E, to receive displayable content from a set of feed selections.

In one embodiment, the user can make a series of pairing selections atthe media processor device 106. In each pairing selection, a feed of theset of feed selections is assigned a media device 108A-F of the set ofdisplay selections. For example, a user may have selected media feedsfrom a football game collection corresponding to a line of scrimmagefeed 560A, an on field feed 560B, a sideline feed 560C, an end zone feed560D, an overhead feed 560E, and a cheerleader feed 560F. The user mayhave identified a set of selected displays including all of theavailable media devices 108A-F for presenting the feed selections. Theuser can identify a set of selected pairings where the line of scrimmagefeed 560A is paired with the first media device 108A, the on field feed560B is paired with the second media device 108B, the sideline feed 560Cis paired with the third media device 108C, the end zone feed 560D ispaired with the fourth media device 108D, the overhead feed 560E ispaired with the fifth media device 108E, and the cheerleader feed ispaired with the sixth media device 108F. In one embodiment, the mediaprocessor device 106 can receive the set of display selections and theset of pairing selection through the EPG. For example, the EPG can beconfigured to present a display selection window upon the entry of auser command or selection from the remote controller 107. In anotherexample, the EPG can be configured to present a display selection windowwhenever a user selects a program for viewing at the EPG. In anotherexample, the EPG can present a pairing selection window whenever theuser selects a program for display.

In one embodiment, the set of feed selections, display selections, andpairing selections can be combined to form content display configurationat the media processor device 106. In one embodiment, the mediaprocessor device 106 can receive media content feeds 540 from the mediaserver 130 according to the content display configuration. The mediaserver 130 can transmit to the media processor device 106 the set offeed selections 540 defined in the content display configuration. In oneembodiment, the media processor device 106 can decode the received mediacontent feeds 540 to generate display content streams that are thentransmitted to each of the media devices 108A-F as governed by thecontent display configuration.

The ability to make feed, or sub-channel, selections from one or moresubject matter area, and, then, to pair these feed selections with a setof display selections, allows a user or subscriber to act as a virtualvideo director or producer. Virtualization of media content selectionand presentation device control, via, for example, a remote controldevice or a mobile communication device, allows the user/subscriber togenerate a limitless number of configurations. In one embodiment, theuser/subscribed can direct the selection of sub-channels or feeds,display devices, as wells as pairing between these selections, can beperformed using voice commands For example, a remote control device,media processor device, or a mobile communication device can capturevoice commands and can convert these voice commands into executableinstructions. In one embodiment, one or more user configurations can begenerated and saved for each user/subscriber to the processing device.For example, a set of feed selections and display selections can bestored in a configuration. The configuration can be stored for laterretrieval and usage.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the media processor device 106can receive further a request from a user to modify the content displayconfiguration. For example, the user can request a modification byentering a command or selection at the remote controller 107. In oneembodiment, the requested modification can be a request to change a feedselection. For example, the user can request that a different availablefeed from a collection be substituted for a feed presently being used.In one embodiment, a user can request that a studio feed 560G of thefootball game collection be substituted for another feed, such as thefield level feed 560B. The media processor device 106 can, in turn,request the studio feed 560G from the media server 130. In oneembodiment, the requested modification can be a request to change adisplay selection. For example, the user can request that one of themedia devices 108A-F be disable or that another device be enabled. Inone embodiment, the requested modification can be to modify one of thepairing selections. For example, the user can request that the fieldlevel feed 560B be reassigned to a pairing with the third media device108C. In one embodiment, the requested modification can include acombination of modifications to the sets of feed selections, displayselections, and pairing selections. For example, the overhead feed 560Ethat was paired with the fifth media device 108E can be removed from theset of feed selections, while the cheerleader feed 560F can be paired toa second media device 108E. In another embodiment a feed from adifferent collection can be substituted for an existing feed. Forexample, a cooking show feed 570A from a different collection can besubstituted for the end zone feed 560D. The combination of modificationsallow the user of the media processor device 106 to perform functions ofa virtual producer or director while controlling content and displaylocation for any content available for display from the service providernetwork 500.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative method 700 that operates in portions ofthe devices of FIGS. 1-5. Method 600 can begin with step 704 in whichfeed selections can be received at the media processor device 106. Inone embodiment, the feed selections can be received from a listing ofavailable media content, where the listing is displayed at a mediadevice 108A under the control of the media processor device 106. In oneembodiment the received selections form a set of feed selections thatcan be incorporated into a content display configuration for the mediaprocessor device 106 in step 716. In one embodiment, the feed selectionscan be selected via user interaction with an EPG that is graphicallydisplayed at a media device 108A. In step 708, the media processordevice 106 can receive display selections. In one embodiment, thedisplay selections can be received via user command and/or selectionsbased upon a listing of available displays. In one embodiment, thedisplay selections can include both user-selected displays and defaultdisplays (selected according to media processor device configurations.).

In step 712, pairing selections can be received at the media processordevice 106. In one embodiment, the pairing selections are received basedupon user inputs, selections, and/or commands entered with respect to alisting that presents the feed selections and the display selections tothe user. In one embodiment, the pairing selections and the displayselections can be entered, selected, and/or commanded as part of acommon operating step. In step 716, the media processor device 106 cangenerate a content display configuration based on the selections of thefeeds, the displays, and the pairings. In one embodiment, the contentdisplay configuration can be generated by the user selections of feeds,displays, and pairings combined with other configuration data associatedwith the media processor device 106, a user of the media processordevice 106, and/or the media server.

In step 720, the media processor device 106 can receive the feedselections 540 from the media server according to the content displayconfiguration. In step 724, the media processor device 106 can decodethe received feed selections and can generate displayable contentstreams for transmission to the media devices 108A-F of the set ofdisplay selections in step 728. In step 732, the media processor device106 can determine if a request has been received for a modification ofthe content display configuration. In one embodiment, the mediaprocessor device 106 can monitor for selections from a remote controller107. In another embodiment, the media processor device 106 can monitorfor requests from the service provider, which can further be originatedusing a portal access to the service provider network 500. In step 736,where the media processor device 106 has detected a request, the contentdisplay configuration can be modified according to the request. In oneembodiment, the modification of the content display configuration canresult in modification of the set of feed selections, the set of displayselections, the set of pairing selections, and/or any combinationthereof. In step 740, the media processor device 106 transmitsdisplayable content according to the modified content displayconfiguration.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, one or more mediadevices 108A-F can be coupled to the media processor device 106 bywireless communication links. In one embodiment, the content displayconfiguration can be stored periodically or shut down of the mediaprocessor device 106. In another embodiment, a set of content displayconfigurations can be stored for each user of the media processor device106 or each user of a remote controller 107. In another embodiment, astored content display configuration can be loaded at the mediaprocessor device 106 upon initialization of the device 106 or upondetection of a change of user.

In one embodiment, one or more of the feed selections of the set of feedselections are made according to a content display configuration that isaccessed from memory. In one embodiment, one or more of the displayselections of the set of display selections are made according to acontent display configuration that is accessed from memory. In oneembodiment, one or more of the pairing selections of the set of pairingselections are made according to a content display configuration that isaccessed from memory. Other embodiments are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media server 130, the media processor 106,and/or the mobile communication device 516, and/or other devices ofFIGS. 1-6. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g.,using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, themachine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machinein server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. In one embodiment, alisting of available displays for selection at the media processordevice 107 is generated based upon detection of displays incommunication with the media processor device 107 or displayactivations.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, ora solid state display. The computer system 800 may include an inputdevice 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplatedfor use by computer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,are contemplated by the subject disclosure.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: receiving a plurality of media content feedsavailable from a service provider network, wherein the plurality ofmedia content feeds comprise a plurality of camera feeds from aplurality of cameras recording a common event and content associatedwith the common event, wherein the plurality of media content feeds eachcomprise a collection of sub-channels associated with the common eventavailable from the service provider network; identifying an arrangementof a plurality of displays associated with the device; receiving aplurality of pairing selections, wherein each pairing selection of theplurality of pairing selections comprises an assignment of onesub-channel of the collection of sub-channels associated with the commonevent paired to one display of the plurality of displays based on thearrangement of each of the plurality of displays; generating a contentdisplay configuration corresponding to the collection of sub-channelsassociated with the common event, the plurality of displays, and theplurality of pairing selections; receiving a request to modify thecontent display configuration; and modifying the content displayconfiguration according to the request.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise transmitting a plurality ofdisplayable content streams to the plurality of displays according tothe content display configuration to cause assigned sub-channels to bepresented at respective display devices associated with the plurality ofdisplays based on each pairing selection.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein the request is received during the transmitting the plurality ofdisplayable content streams.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein theoperations further comprise determining whether to enable or disabletransmitting of a first displayable content stream of the plurality ofdisplayable content streams responsive to the request.
 5. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the operations further comprise modifying one displayof the plurality of displays responsive to the request.
 6. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the operations further comprise determining whether toenable or disable a first display associated with the plurality ofdisplays responsive to the request.
 7. The device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise modifying one pairing selection of theplurality of pairing selections responsive to the request.
 8. The deviceof claim 7, wherein a first feed selection of the plurality of mediacontent feeds is associated with a first media content feed of a firstsubject area content collection of the collection of sub-channelsassociated with the common event, and wherein a second feed selection ofthe plurality of media content feeds is associated with a second mediacontent feed of a second subject area content collection of thecollection of sub-channels associated with the common event.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the request to modify the content displayconfiguration is received from a remote controller communicativelycoupled to the device.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof media content feeds are each associated with one subject area contentcollection of a plurality of subject area content collections availablefrom the service provider network.
 11. The device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise: receiving from the service providernetwork a plurality of content streams according to the content displayconfiguration; and decoding the plurality of content streams that arereceived to generate a plurality of displayable content streamsaccording to the content display configuration.
 12. The device of claim1, wherein receiving the plurality of media content feeds furthercomprises providing an electronic programming guide, and wherein thereceiving the plurality of pairing selections comprises receiving thepairing selections from the electronic programming guide.
 13. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: storing the contentdisplay configuration at the memory; and retrieving the content displayconfiguration that is stored in the memory during an initialization ofthe device.
 14. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: providing a plurality of media content streams available toa media processor, wherein the plurality of media content streamscomprise a plurality of camera feeds from a plurality of camerasrecording a common event and content associated with the common event,and wherein the plurality of media content streams comprise a collectionof sub-channels associated with the common event available, wherein themedia processor receives placement data regarding an arrangement of aplurality of available displays associated with the media processor;providing an electronic programming guide containing a content displayconfiguration including the plurality of media content streams organizedaccording to the common event to the media processor, wherein the mediaprocessor transmits the plurality of media content streams according tothe content display configuration to cause sub-channels associated withthe common event to be presented at the plurality of available displaysaccording to the placement data; and providing a request to modify thecontent display configuration to display different sub-channels of thecollection of sub-channels associated with the common event to the mediaprocessor, wherein the media processor modifies the content displayconfiguration according to the request.
 15. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: providing from a first listing of the plurality ofmedia content feeds from the plurality of media content streams; andproviding a second listing of the plurality of media content streams.16. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 14,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a plurality of mediacontent feeds; and categorizing the plurality of media content feedsinto the plurality of media content streams based on a commonalitybetween the plurality of media content feeds.
 17. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the providing arequest to modify the content display configuration to display thedifferent sub-channels occurs during the transmitting of the pluralityof media content streams.
 18. A method, comprising: accessing, by aprocessing system comprising a processor, a content displayconfiguration corresponding to a plurality of media content feeds, aplurality of display selections from a plurality of available displays,wherein the plurality of media content feeds comprise a plurality ofcamera feeds from a plurality of cameras recording a common event andcontent associated with the common event, wherein the plurality of mediacontent feeds comprise separate, broadcast channels associated with thecommon event; identifying, by the processing system, an arrangement ofthe plurality of displays; displaying, by the processing system, theseparate, broadcast channels associated with the common event as acontent subject area in an electronic programming guide; and modifying,by the system, the content display configuration into a modified contentdisplay configuration according to a request to change one of theseparate, broadcast channels associated with the common event, theplurality of display selections, the plurality of pairing selections, orany combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:receiving a selection of sub-channels to display from the contentsubject area at the electronic programming guide as the content displayconfiguration; selecting a plurality of pairing selections to assigneach sub-channel of the selection of sub-channels to a respectivedisplay selection of the plurality of display selections as selecteddisplay devices according to the content display configuration; andtransmitting, by the system, the selection of sub-channels to bepresented at the selected display devices.
 20. The method of claim 18,further comprising transmitting, by the system, a plurality ofdisplayable content streams according to the modified content displayconfiguration.